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Good walking rhythm
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An average day of
hiking will consist of periods of hiking and
periods of rest. The combination of good hiking
rhythm, good Walking Speed and fixed Rest
Intervals are things that separate Hiking
Beginners from good Hikers. In our enthusiasm we
often tend to start of too fast, get tired
quickly, take an early rest and start off too
fast again. In Hiking there is one concept that
will improve you overall hiking performance,
endurance and pleasure: Hiking Rhythm
In this section we
will look into why Hiking Rhythm is so important
and how you can learn and maintain a good Hiking
Rhythm:
Benefits
of a Good Hiking Rhythm
- Enable you
to stick to a fixed schedule of breaks
instead of having to break every time you
run out of breath and start panting.
- Help you
plan your hikes.
- Lessen the
strain you put on your feet, legs, lungs and
overall body.
- Changing
gears the whole time is much more tiring
then staying at a constant intensity level.
- Having a
steady Hiking Rhythm will leave you less
fatigued at the end of the day compared to
if you vary your walking intensity.
- Having a
steady Hiking Rhythm is generally more
enjoyable as you never over exert yourself
and generally keep the physical strain at
enjoyable levels.
Developing your own Hiking Rhythm
Your perfect Hiking Rhythm is something very
personal and something you will have to develop
over the course of many, many hikes. Here are
some guidelines:
- Try a
Hiking Rhythm by trying a certain stride
rhythm and speed and keeping to it. A good
hiking rhythm is one that allows you to hike
in the same intensity level for at least one
hour without having to take a break.
- Adjust your
selected rhythm to the terrain and weather
conditions and the weight you are carrying.
- Make your
Hiking Rhythm a full body affair where your
breathing and the swing of your arms are all
happen in harmony with the same rhythm.
- Count along
or even use a Hiking Mantra to stick to your
rhythm.
- Make sure
not to interrupt your rhythm unless it is
absolutely necessary. Minor obstacles do not
have to be a reason to change your rhythm by
stopping or slowing down.
- Uneven
surfaces like uphill and downhill slopes of
varying incline can make it difficult to
maintain your rhythm. You could attempt to
keep the same rhythm and adjust your stride.
Often this will prove very difficult and you
will have to change the tempo of your
rhythm. This is not bad as long as you are
able to keep at the new rhythm and adapt to
it quickly while remaining at the same
physical intensity level.
>> More Hiking
tips
•
Hiking in Vietnam
•
Minimizing your pack
•
Walking speed
•
Good walking rhythm
•
Resting and hiking rest intervals
•
River and water crossing in hiking
•
About the foot, foot wear and shock
•
Choosing the right foot wear
• Lacing
techniques |
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